Different Forms of Energy

Energy is an essential part of our daily lives. Yet, it has puzzled and fascinated scientists for many centuries. Energy is a very abstract concept that is often defined as "the ability a physical system has to produce changes on another physical system". Therefore, energy can take on many different forms. Some of these forms include:

• Thermal energy
• Chemical energy
• Electrical energy
• Radiant energy (energy of electromagnetic waves)
• Nuclear energy
• Magnetic energy
• Elastic energy
• Sound energy
• Mechanical energy

How To Maximize a Cannon's Horizontal Range

In order to maximize a cannon's horizontal range, the angle of the barrel must be set to 45 degrees above the horizontal (assuming all other things like the size of the projectile and the power of the propellant are equal, level ground, and no air resistance). This optimal angle can be proven using the formula for the range of a projectile:

R = V²sin(2θ)/g


Using this formula, we can determine the value of θ that will maximize the value of sin(2θ), which will maximize the range of the projectile since v and g do not change. The maximum value of sin(2θ) is 1, which occurs at sin(90). Therefore the value of θ must be 45 degrees above the horizontal.